Ombudsman clears President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and First Genetleman in NBN ZTE deal

Joey De Venecia III was barking up the wrong tree by alleging that Senator Richard Gordon had delayed the release of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on the NBN ZTE probe because it was being watered down.


But, pare, this bit of news may have him saying... Wow pare, anlabo naman ng Ombudsman! 


While Merceditas inhibited herself, I AM PRETTY SURE THE DECISION TO BE MADE ON NBN ZTE WAS COMMUNICATED TO THE SIGNATORIES OF THE RESOLUTION.


See this bit of news from Philippine Star:

The Office of the Ombudsman has cleared President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo of graft in connection with the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal with ZTE Corp. of China, but indicted former elections chief Benjamin Abalos and Social Security System president Romulo Neri.

The ruling came two years after businessman Jose de Venecia III, son and namesake of the former House speaker, exposed the alleged anomalies in the deal and implicated the First Gentleman and Abalos.

Details of alleged wheeling and dealing, multimillion-dollar bribes, and even a murder attempt surfaced during several tension-filled Senate hearings.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, a law school classmate of Mr. Arroyo, inhibited from the case. She is facing impeachment raps for allegedly dragging her feet on the case and on other high-level corruption cases involving ranking administration officials.

The 144-page resolution was signed by Emilio Gonzales III, deputy ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices; Robert Kallos, deputy special prosecutor; Rodolfo Elman, assistant ombudsman; Cesar Asuncion, director; and Jesus Micael, special prosecutor.

The joint resolution was dated April 21, 2009 but was approved only on Aug. 27 by overall deputy ombudsman Orlando Casimiro.

But consider the implications of this resolution on the Senate Blue Ribbon's report.


Because its release has already been overtaken by Malacanang's minions, even if it were to make scathing accusations against the First Gentleman and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, wouldn't its recommendations be moot?


The saving grace would be if it recommends the filing of cases against Abalos and Neri, but that would be like playing second voices -- choo wari-wari wap!


Also, we haven't forgotten the possible culpability of Jun Lozada and Joey De Venecia III in whole mess that is NBN ZTE.